Friday Night Lights

I first heard about this movie because a band I like did the soundtrack for it. The band is called Explosions In The Sky and they are an instrumental band from Texas. They make quite sweeping, epic rock music and they aren't really the guys you would pick for a movie about American football.

Based on a true story, this really isn't your average sports movie. It tells the story of a small town in Texas in 1988 which totally revolves around the high school football team. The guys walk out on the field every week and it's like the fate of the whole world rests on their shoulders.

This movie paints such an incredible picture of the place and it tells such an unbelievable story about the people. Only the story isn't unbelievable, it is very simple and very real. I got a lot more than I bargained for when I sat down to watch this.

Infinity and Beyond

About 2 weeks ago I was looking at an old CD by a local band. As I read the sleeve notes, I noticed the line "This CD is dedicated to the memory of Christopher Gaston."

I used to know a guy called Chris who was from the same area and about the same age as the guys in the band. I shook it off and got on with the rest of the day, it's a pretty common name. Just today I remembered and did a few searches to find out if it was the same guy. It was.

I met Chris in my first year of secondary school. He was a prefect who used to guard one of the doors into the main corridor during lunch hour on a certain day each week. One day we tried to get past him and starting talking, he was just one of those guys you instantly love. We called him 'Buzz' for some reason and used to go back every week and hang out at the door.

He was a lot older than us and we used to think we were big lads when we saw him in the corridor. I remember starting to wear my schoolbag on both shoulders, (back when it was cool to wear it on just one,) because Buzz did it. He was a special guy, a real individual and a real laugh.

Today I found some of the music he made. My favorite is called "Leave". www.myspace.com/gastonssongs

It speaks volumes, that 10 years later I look at the impression he made on me, and I hardly even knew the guy. I can't imagine what it must be like for those who were close to him.

Ode to the West Wind

I just worked out that this is the first time in 2 years that I have had loads of time and nothing to do, it is unreal. I am now making a list in my head of all the stuff I need to do before I have to go back to university. One of these things is learn how to do a Rubix Cube.

It's so great, I should be a bum more often. Anyway the 'Cube' has been calling my name for a while; I bought one a couple of months ago, but haven't had a chance to crack it until now. We will see how it goes.

The last couple of days had been really good. My friend Patrick was talking about how he loved being outside, and it's so true. I have been enjoying the fresh air very much; three days of fun and I even got some sun on my nose. Viva la Vida!

Saturday: Frisbee Tournament - Each team was named after a Ninja Turtle so we were Leonardo and got some sweet blue headbands. We were robbed of a place in the final and took home third.

Sunday: High Seas - My uncle has got a cool sailing boat and me and my brother went for a spin with him. It really makes you feel like a man, pulling some ropes while the wind blows hard against your face. Good times.

Monday: Donard Forrest - Went for a dander in Newcastle with some friends today, it's such a beautiful spot when you have the weather. You heard it here first folks, fresh air ain't for dorks.

Nótt

It really has been a long time since I was just sitting at my computer wasting time late into the night.